Principal Charity Classic: Zach Johnson’s favorite sandwich honored at Des Moines deli
Manhattan Deli in Des Moines has named a sandwich after PGA champion Zach Johnson, inspired by his favorite order during his college days at Drake University
CONTRIBUTIONS. THAT NUMBER IS JUST MIND BLOWING. IT REALLY IS. ALL RIGHT, LET’S TALK SOME GOLF. ZACH JOHNSON ISN’T JUST PLAYING IN THE PRINCIPAL CHARITY CLASSIC, BUT HE’S ALSO MAKING A RETURN TO HIS OLD STOMPING GROUNDS. YEAH, AS BEAU BOWMAN SHOWS US, THE TWO TIME PGA WINNER WENT BACK TO DRAKE AND ALSO ATE AT HIS FAVORITE SANDWICH SHOP SALAMI, PEPPERONI AND HOT CHEESE. DURING HIS TIME AT DRAKE UNIVERSITY, ZACH JOHNSON WAS A REGULAR CUSTOMER HERE AT THE MANHATTAN DELI. HE WOULD COME IN AND HE WOULD JUST HAVE THAT SANDWICH, BUILD YOUR OWN SANDWICH, AND THAT’S THE BASE OF IT. AND THEN WE JUST FILL IT WITH HAM. SO REGULAR EMPLOYEES KNEW HIS ORDER BY HEART. IT’S HAM, HARD SALAMI, PEPPERONI, PROVOLONE AND HOT PEPPER CHEESE WITH LETTUCE AND TOMATO AND MAYO, TOMATO AND MAYO. AND THEN WE PUT OUR SIGNATURE OIL OVER THE TOP OF IT ON A HOAGIE BUN. AND IT’S JUST SERVED COLD. THEN ZACH JOHNSON BECAME THE ZACH JOHNSON WINNING THE MASTERS, THE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP AND BECOMING ONE OF GOLF’S BIGGEST NAMES. WHEN I WAS A CUSTOMER BEFORE WE WERE THE OWNERS, LIKE WHEN I SAW IT, I THOUGHT IT WAS FANTASTIC. I WAS LIKE, OH, THIS IS GREAT. AS HIS FAME GREW, THE MANHATTAN DELI MADE HIS FAVORITE ORDER OFFICIAL. NOW ON THE MENU AS THE ZACH JOHNSON. WE FINISH IT WITH A LITTLE BIT OF OIL. THE GOLF MAY HAVE CHANGED. THE TROPHIES CERTAINLY HAVE. BUT ONE THING WILL ALWAYS STAY THE SAME. AND THE DOOR AT THE DELI IS ALWAYS OPEN FOR THEIR FAVORITE CUSTOMER. I WOULD IMAGINE HE WOULD COME IN AND, YOU KNOW, I’M THINKING MAYBE MY WIFE COULD SEND OUT A MESSAGE ON SOCIAL MEDIA, MAYBE, AND SAY, HEY, YOU SHOULD COME TO MANHATTAN DELI. IT’S A BIG SANDWICH WITH AN EVEN BIGGER ENDORSEMENT. THE ZACH JOHNSON AT THE MANHATTAN DELI. PERFECT. AND TAKE A LOOK AT THIS. ZACH DID END UP STOPPING IN TO GET ONE OF HIS SANDWICHES. IT HAPPENED YESTERDAY AFT
Principal Charity Classic: Zach Johnson’s favorite sandwich honored at Des Moines deli
Manhattan Deli in Des Moines has named a sandwich after PGA champion Zach Johnson, inspired by his favorite order during his college days at Drake University
Updated: 9:38 PM CDT Jun 11, 2026
Zach Johnson, a two-time PGA Major winner, is revisiting his college roots in Des Moines, where his favorite sandwich from Manhattan Deli now bears his name. During his time at Drake University, Johnson was a regular at Manhattan Deli, a popular lunch spot. Corey Hansen, the owner of the deli, recalled Johnson’s frequent visits. Hansen said Johnson’s order was always the build-your-own sandwich, with salami, provolone, pepperoni and hot cheese.Johnson’s order became so familiar to the staff that they knew it by heart. As Johnson’s fame grew, with victories at the Masters and the Open Championship, Manhattan Deli decided to honor their famous customer by officially naming his favorite sandwich “The Zach Johnson.” Though Johnson’s golf career and accolades have grown, Manhattan Deli remains a constant, with its doors always open for their favorite customer.More Principal Charity Classic coveragePrincipal Charity Classic: Wakonda Club showcases challenging holes and dramatic elevationsPrincipal Charity Classic: Agronomists use science to prepare greens at Wakonda ClubPrincipal Charity Classic: Daisy May helps keep wildlife off Wakonda Club’s golf courseNorwalk boy to receive adaptive bike at Principal Charity ClassicPrincipal Charity Classic 2026: Your guide to PGA Tour Champions event in Des Moines
DES MOINES, Iowa —
Zach Johnson, a two-time PGA Major winner, is revisiting his college roots in Des Moines, where his favorite sandwich from Manhattan Deli now bears his name.
During his time at Drake University, Johnson was a regular at Manhattan Deli, a popular lunch spot.
Corey Hansen, the owner of the deli, recalled Johnson’s frequent visits. Hansen said Johnson’s order was always the build-your-own sandwich, with salami, provolone, pepperoni and hot cheese.
Johnson’s order became so familiar to the staff that they knew it by heart.
As Johnson’s fame grew, with victories at the Masters and the Open Championship, Manhattan Deli decided to honor their famous customer by officially naming his favorite sandwich “The Zach Johnson.”
Though Johnson’s golf career and accolades have grown, Manhattan Deli remains a constant, with its doors always open for their favorite customer.
More Principal Charity Classic coverage
Principal Charity Classic: Wakonda Club showcases challenging holes and dramatic elevationsPrincipal Charity Classic: Agronomists use science to prepare greens at Wakonda ClubPrincipal Charity Classic: Daisy May helps keep wildlife off Wakonda Club’s golf courseNorwalk boy to receive adaptive bike at Principal Charity ClassicPrincipal Charity Classic 2026: Your guide to PGA Tour Champions event in Des Moines